CIMA stands for the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, a UK-based global body .

CGMA stands for Chartered Global Management Accountant. This is the prestigious designation you earn by completing the CIMA qualification .

This is a powerful joint venture between the UK's CIMA and the US's AICPA (the body for CPAs). This partnership powers the CGMA designation, making it the most recognized management accounting qualification in the world .

• CIMA (CGMA) trains you to be a management accountant (working inside the business on strategy, planning, and performance).
• ACCA trains you to be a financial accountant (working on reporting, audit, and tax, often externally .

• CIMA (UK) is a global qualification focused on business strategy, performance management, and digital finance, leading to the CGMA.
• CMA (India) is a highly respected Indian qualification focused on Indian cost laws, cost audits, and management accounting in the Indian context . 
  

It is one of the world's most respected business qualifications, leading to careers in corporate leadership, not just accounting .

Yes. You can study from anywhere (like at Mercury Edutech Academy) and take all your computer-based exams at Pearson VUE centers located across India, including in Tamil Nadu .

The CIMA Professional Qualification is recognized at a "Level 7" in the UK, which is equivalent to a Master's degree .

It's very challenging. Most people complete their CA first and then use the CIMA Gateway to earn the CGMA designation in less than a year .

Yes, its popularity is growing rapidly, especially within large MNCs (like Shell, Unilever, HSBC), Big 4 firms (in their advisory divisions), and KPOs/Shared Services (like Accenture, Infosys, Capgemini) .

You can start right after your 10th standard by entering the "Certificate in Business Accounting" level. The most common starting point is after 10+2 (any stream).

You can start directly with the Professional Qualification (Operational Level). You will likely receive exemptions from all 4 papers of the Certificate Level .

It's the entry-level qualification (4 exams) for students without a relevant degree. It's a fantastic, standalone certificate in business .

This is a fast-track route for people who are already qualified as a CA (India), CMA (India), or have an MBA. They can skip 11 exams (Certificate + Operational + Management levels) and start their CIMA journey at the Management Level Case Study Exam .

ACCA members get an even faster route. They can skip 11 exams and start at the final Strategic Level Case Study Exam . 

You will typically get exemptions from all 4 papers of the Certificate Level, allowing you to save time and money .

Yes! You would start at the Certificate in Business Accounting (CBA) level, which is designed to teach you the fundamentals of business and finance from scratch .

You register as a CIMA student online and upload your mark sheets. CIMA will assess your qualifications and grant you the exemptions. We at Mercury Edutech will guide you through this entire process .

The cost is spread out. You pay an annual subscription fee to CIMA, and then you pay for each exam as you take it. This makes it very flexible to finance .

It's flexible. A graduate can complete it in 2-3 years. A qualified CA/CMA can complete it in as little as 6-12 months .

• Certificate Level: 4 on-demand exams.
• Professional Level: 12 exams total (9 Objective Tests + 3 Case Studies) .

1. Enterprise (E): Business models, strategy, and management.
2. Performance (P): Management accounting, costing, and performance management.
3. Financial (F): Financial accounting, reporting, and IFRS .

This is a 90-minute computer-based exam. It's "on-demand," meaning you can book it at a Pearson VUE center for any day you want. You get your results instantly .

This is a 3-hour, computer-based exam held 4 times a year. It's a simulation where you act as a finance manager for a fictional company. You are given data 6 weeks in advance to analyze .

• OT Exams: The pass mark is a scaled score of 100 (out of 150).
• Case Study Exams: The pass mark is a scaled score of 80 (out of 150) . 
  

Your passes for the OT exams are valid as long as you are actively studying and taking the case study. CIMA's rules are designed to keep you moving forward .

No, there is no negative marking in any CIMA exam .

The CIMA syllabus is very stable. You only need to ensure you have the latest textbook for your chosen exam .

They are just different. ACCA is seen as more technical and calculation-heavy (like CA). CIMA is seen as more strategic and text-heavy, testing your business acumen .

CIMA is the only body with a deep focus on the future. You will learn about Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, and AI, making you a future-proof finance professional .

To become a full CGMA member, you must complete 36 months (3 years) of relevant work experience .

Any role in finance, accounting, or business management. This can include financial analysis, budgeting, costing, or even a strategic role .

You can complete it before, during, or after your exams. Your previous work experience can also count! .

Yes! The 3 years of articleship you did for your CA can be used to fulfill the entire 36-month CIMA PER requirement .

You record your experience in an online portal, and a supervisor (like your boss or manager) signs it off. We guide our students on this . 

CIMA opens doors to strategic roles, not just accounting:

• Management Consultant
• Business Analyst
• Finance Manager
• Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
• CEO (CIMA has more members in CEO roles than any other accounting body).
• Performance Manager

Salaries are very competitive. A CIMA-qualified professional can expect a starting salary from ₹8 lakhs to ₹15 lakhs per annum in a good MNC .

CIMA is not designed for independent practice in India (i.e., you cannot do a statutory audit like a CA). It is a qualification for high-level corporate roles .

Yes! CIMA is your passport to the world. It is highly respected in the UK, Europe, Australia, Canada, the Middle East, and Asia .

Yes. Because the CGMA designation is a joint venture with the AICPA (the US body), it is highly recognized and respected in the United States . 

Unilever, HSBC, Shell, Amazon, Accenture, Capgemini, Infosys, Wipro, and all the Big 4 firms (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC) in their advisory and consulting divisions . 

Because CIMA professionals are trained in IFRS (like ACCA) but also in business strategy and performance management, which is exactly what an MNC needs to run its global operations . 

Yes, CIMA is often called the "CEO's qualification" because it focuses on the skills (strategy, leadership, risk) that are essential for running an entire company . 

You get the best of both worlds: a world-class global qualification and local, personalized support. We are experts in the CIMA syllabus, especially the difficult Case Study exams .

We provide official CIMA-approved study materials (like Kaplan or BPP), supplemented with our own simplified notes, question banks, and case study analysis .

Yes. This is a key part of our service. We will personally assess your B.Com, M.Com, or CA/CMA certificates and manage your exemption application with CIMA .

This is our specialty. We run dedicated workshops for the case study, analyzing the pre-seen material, practicing mock exams, and teaching you how to structure your answers like a real business leader  .

It's a 90-minute computer exam at a Pearson VUE center. We have a full mock-exam portal that mimics this exact environment, so you are 100% prepared  . 

Just walk into our Mercury Edutech Academy office in Nagercoil with your mark sheets (10th, 12th, B.Com, etc.) for a free counseling and eligibility-check session . 

The first step is to talk to us! We'll help you register as a CIMA student, apply for your exemptions, and create a personalized study plan that fits your life and your career goals. Your journey to the boardroom starts here! .